Skilled Trades
Potters, Manufacturing
Operate production machines such as pug mill, jigger machine, or potter's wheel to process clay in manufacture of ceramic, pottery and stoneware products.
Median salary
$45,690
Typical range
$35k – $61k
Job outlook
+6% (faster than average)
AI exposure
Plan a path to Potters, Manufacturing
Education
Typical entry: No degree (trade/license)
Plan my path to this →Typical progression
Junior Potters, Manufacturing
Entry / Junior
$34,950
~2 yrs to advance
Potters, Manufacturing
Established
$45,690
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Potters, Manufacturing
Senior
$53,370
Key skills
A typical day
- •Operate gas or electric kilns to fire pottery pieces.
- •Mix and apply glazes to pottery pieces, using tools, such as spray guns.
- •Raise and shape clay into wares, such as vases and pitchers, on revolving wheels, using hands, fingers, and thumbs.
- •Adjust wheel speeds according to the feel of the clay as pieces enlarge and walls become thinner.
- •Position balls of clay in centers of potters' wheels, and start motors or pump treadles with feet to revolve wheels.
Fields of study
Any field
Top colleges for Skilled Trades
Explore all- Purdue University50% admit · $78,000 grad pay
- Ohio State University53% admit · $68,000 grad pay
- Pennsylvania State University55% admit · $70,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.